Adjustable bed



Dec. 14, 1965 F. PRUIM ETAL 3,222,693

ADJUSTABLE BED Filed Jan. 14, 1963 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 fnverzz o 7151' Fred Pruz'm am; Jujiz'n J Zzjezjlfw Dec; 1965 F. PRUIM ETAL ADJUSTABLE BED Filed Jan. 14, 1963 and Jusizrz J Mei 3Z6? 59" 5511/14, 41 M F. PRUIM ETAL ADJUSTABLE BED Dec. 14, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 14, 1963 RM RN w Q A bu Am h N fnz/en'iorsr Fred Pruim and Jusiz'rz, J ZZ/EijjZT m K9. W

F. PRulM ETAL ADJUSTABLE BED Dec. 14, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Filed. Jan. 14, 1965 f 722/671 5071? Fred Pruz'm and JusZznJ ZI/eZf Zer F. PRUIM ETAL ADJUSTABLE BED Dec. 14, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 14, 1963 Tar/6712 22715 red .Pruz'm and JusZ -a'nJ Zl/eZZaZer F. PRUIM ETAL ADJUSTABLE BED Dec. 14, 1965 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 14, 1963 Wll llll -I-l I I MIIL l r I 712/67120715 Fred Prw'm and Jusfz'n J weif l'er' Dec. 14, 1965 F. PRUIM ETAL 3,222,693

ADJUSTABLE BED Filed Jan. 14, 1963 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 l m ilial/39 "1H fnz/e zl orsfl' Fred Pruz'm and Jusz z'n J Z'Ueijler United States Patent 3,222,693 ADJUSTABLE BED Fred Pruim, Chicago, and .iustin J. Wetzler, Evanston, Ill., assignors to Borg-Warner Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Jan. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 251,268 15 Claims. (Cl. --68) This invention relates to bed structures and more particularly, to a bed in which the mattress supporting structure thereof may be selectively and adjustably elevated, contoured and positioned.

There are many situations in which it is highly desirable and quite beneficial to have a bed that can be manipulated to adjust the elevation of the bed from the floor and to independently, without extreme effort, angularly position portions of an articulated mattress supported on the bed. A person reclining on the bed may thereby be tilted, elevated or positioned for comfort and therapy. The known types of beds commonly provide only a few of the desirable positions or manipulations in certain combinations only, and although the known types of beds are often partially or wholly mechanized, they are usually possessed of certain awkward characteristics and undesirable positions or manipulations and seldom are capable of being satisfactorily and easily operated by the person reclining thereon. It is, therefore, highly desirable to provide an adjustable bed which can be selectively elevated or manipulated to position the person reclining thereon without requiring awkward and otherwise undesirable exertion by the person and without requiring extensive manual manipulations by the person.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide an adjustable bed of relatively simple and economic construction for facilitating motorized and remote adjusting manipulation thereof.

Another object of this invention is to provide a motorized adjustable bed having a movable mattress support frame that can be selectively elevated or tilted.

A further object of this invention is to provide an adjustable bed wherein an articulated mattress support may be manipulated independently of the movable mattress frame support.

Another object of this invention of this invention is to provide a motorized adjustable bed wherein the articulated mattress supporting frame may be remotely controlled by the person reclining on the bed.

A further object of this invention is to provide a pedal actuated linkage system for selectively controlling the motorized actuation of the bed to elevate or tilt the movable frame.

With these and other objects in view, the present invention contemplates an adjustable bed having a fixed frame, a movable frame and an articulated mattress frame pivotally secured to the movable frame wherein a linkage is provided between the movable and the mattress frames that is remotely operable to articulate and to pivot the mattress frame relative to the movable frame and wherein linkages are provided between the fixed frame and the movable frame that is remotely and selectively operable to elevate the movable frame relative to the fixed frame and to tilt the movable frame relative to the fixed frame.

Other objects, advantages and novel aspects of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of a representative embodiment in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the bed showing the down and elevated positions thereof.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the bed showing the linkages 3,222,693 Patented Dec. 14, 1965 between a fixed frame, the movable frame and the articulated mattress supporting frame.

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 2 showing the linkage provided for raising the foot of the movable supporting frame and the pedal actuating mechanism for elevating and tilting the movable frame.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the linkages for elevating the head of the bed.

FIG. 5 is a partial view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3 of the movable frame and the articulated mattress supporting frame showing the linkages provided for adjusting the head portion of the articulated frame.

FIG. 6 is a partial side view of the movable frame taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3 and the articulated mattress support frame showing the linkages provided for positioning the leg and foot portions of the articulated frame.

FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the stationary frame and the movable frame taken along line 77 of FIG. 3 showing the linkages for selectively elevating or tilting the movable frame.

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 9 showing one of the link assemblies provided for elevating one end of the movable frame.

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing the limit switches limiting the elevational movement of the movable frame.

FIG. 10 is a partial view taken along line 1tl10 of FIG. 2 showing the pedal actuated switch assembly for actuating the elevating and tilting linkages.

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional view taken along line 1111 of FIG. 10 showing the switch actuating linkage operated by the pedals.

FIG. 12 is a plain view of the remote control hand switch for selectively actuating the back and knee linkages or manipulating the back and knee portions of the articulated mattress supporting frame.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the bed showing the bed in the tilted position.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the bed showing the bed in the reverse tilted position.

FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of the electric circuitry provided for actuating the bed.

An illustrative example of the adjustable bed of this invention is shown in the figures and is designated generally by the numeral 20. The bed 20 includes a relatively stationary base frame 21, a movable frame 22 and a jointed or articulated mattress support frame 23 for supporting a mattress 24. The movable frame 22 is supported on the fixed frame 21 by head and foot elevation linkage assemblies 25 and 26 respectively and the mattress frame 23 is rigidly secured to the movable frame 22 by support elements 27 (FIG. 2) and is angularly positioned on the movable frame 22 by back and knee linkage assemblies 28 and 29 respectively. A pedal actuation assembly, designated generally by the numeral 30, is positioned at the foot of frame 21 and is provided for controlling the adjustment of the movable frame 22. The bed 20 is motorized and is provided with the necessary electric circuitry (FIG. 15) for the operation thereof and is further provided with a hand held switch control box 31 for controlling the actuation of the back and knee linkage assemblies 28 and 29.

The stationary base frame 21 includes, among other things, a head end channel 35, a foot end channel 36 and side panels 37. The frame 21 is mounted on casters 3% and a center T-beam 39 (FIGS. 1 and 4) is secured thereto and extends between the head 35 and the foot 36. A fulcrum having a surface 41 is also provided on each side channel 37.

The movable frame 22 includes generally a head board 45, a foot board 46, and side L-sh-aped channels 47 and a lateral box channel brace 48 (FIGS. 1-3). The articulated mattress support frame 23 (FIG. 2) includes generally a back or head panel 50, a center panel 51 and upper and lower knee panels 52 and 53, respectively. The back panel is provided with L-shaped channel sides 54 that are pivotally connected to the center panel 51 at 55 and the center panel is secured to the movable frame by the supports 27. The upper knee panel 52 is provided with L-shaped side panels 56 pivotally connected to the center panel at 57 and the lower knee panel 53 is provided with L-shaped side channels 58 pivotally that are connected to the upper knee side channels 56 at 59 and is supported on the channels 47 of the movable frame 22 on a pair of rollers 60 mounted on brackets 61 secured to the side channels 58 of the lower knee panel 53. The head panel 50 and the lower knee panel 53 are provided with mattress retainers 62 and all the panels 50-53 are individually provided with a webbing or springs 63 (FIG. 3) for supporting the mattress 24 on the articulated frame 23.

The head and foot elevating linkage assemblies 25 and 26, respectively (FIGS. 2 and 7) for manipulating the movable frame 22 each include a pair of channel supports that are each rigidly secured to a lateral bar 71 which in turn is rigidly secured to the movable frame side channels 47. A pair of long lever arms 72 is provided for each of the elevation linkage assemblies 25 and 26 and are pivotally secured to the respective supports 70 by pins and are rigidly connected to the respective pivot tubes 73. The pivot tubes 73 are each rotatably mounted in a pair of sockets 74 that are rigidly secured to the stationary frame 21.

A pair of short lever arms are secured to each of the pivot tubes 73 and extend substantially at right angles from the respective long lever arms 72 thereof. A link 81 is pivotally connected to each of the pairs of short lever arms 80 by pin 82 in one end thereof and is pivotally connected at the other end thereof to a square pin 83 extending between each pair of links 81. One of the square pins 83 is provided for each of the elevation link assemblies 25 and 26 and is positioned slight-ably in a complementary slot 84 (FIGS. 7 and 9) in an actuating channel 85. The channel 85 is positioned, near the head elevation link assembly, on a bracket (FIGS. 2, 4, and 7) that is rigidly secured to the longitudinal T-shaped channel 39.

The channel 85 is positionably supported on the bracket 90 by rails 91 secured to the channel 85 and positioned in complementary slots 92 (FIG. 4) in the bracket 90. The channel 85 is supported at the right or foot end thereof (FIG. 8) by an end plate 95 (FIGS. 8 and 9), a traverse nut 96, a screw 97, and screw supporting brackets 98 that are rigidly secured in the T-channel 39. The plate 95 is rigidly secured to the channel and is secured to the traversing nut 96 against the traversing nut by a securing nut 99 threaded on the traversing nut.

The screw 97 is threaded through the traversing nut 96 and is rotatably supported on thrust bearings 100 (FIG. 8) rigidly mounted in the brackets 98. The screw 97 is driven by a motor 101 that is secured to the T-channel 39. Thus, rotation of the motor 101 in either direction will drive the screw 97 and the traversing nut 96, which in turn will cause the channel 85 to move likewise on the support bracket 90.

A limit switch actuation bracket 102 is secured to the channel 85 (FIG. 9) and is provided with an arm 103 adapted to engage and open a normally closed limit switch 104 mounted in a switch housing 105 to stop the motor 101 when the channel 85 is moved a predetermined distance to the right (FIG. 9). Similarly, an arm 106 is provided with an adjustable actuator 107 for engaging and opening a normally closed limit switch 108 mounted in the housing 105 to stop the motor 101 When the channel 85 is moved a predetermined distance to the left (FIG. 9).

The head and foot elevation link assemblies 25 and 26, respectively, are each provided with a latch (FIGS. 2, 7, and 8) pivotally mounted within the channel 85 on a pin shaft 116 that is rotatably mounted on the channel 85 (FIG. 3). Each of the latches 115 is provided with a notch 117 (FIG. 8) that is respectively complementary with the square pins 83 and is provided with a cam surface 118 on the upper end portion thereof. A coil spring 119 is provided adjacent each of the latches 115. Each spring 119 is supported by a pin 121 adjacent one end thereof and is anchored to the respective shaft 116 at the other end thereof (FIGS. 7, 8 and 9). Each of the springs 119 is operable to bias the shaft 116 in a clockwise direction (FIG. 8) to cause each of the latches 115 to engage the respective square pins 83. The latches 115 are therefore normally in complementary engagement with the pins 83 (FIGS. 2 and 8) unless the latches 115 are pivoted counterclockwise against the bias of the respective springs 119.

The pedal actuation assembly 30 (FIGS. 10 and 11) includes generally an elevation actuation pedal 125, an elevation actuation linkage assembly 126, an elevation motor control switch 127, a tilt or Trendelenburg pedal 128 and a reverse tilt or reverse Trendelenburg pedal 129. The elevation pedal is pivotally mounted on a shaft supported in brackets 136 that are rigidly secured to the foot channel 36 of the stationary frame 21.

The elevation pedal 125 is provided with a lower tread 137 and an upper tread 138 so that pressure may be manually applied to the pedal 125 to either rotate the pedal 125 clockwise by pushing on tread 137 or counterclockwise by pushing on tread 138, respectively (FIGS. 2 and 11). A pair of links 139 are pivotally mounted on a shaft 140 extending through the sides of the elevation pedal 125 and are pivotally connected to vertically extended sides 141 of a switch actuating plate 142. The plate 142 is provided with forward portions 143 extending through apertures 144 in the foot channel 36 of the stationary frame 21 so that if the pedal 125 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, the links 139 will urge the plate 142 to the left or right, respectively (FIG. 11) in a supported position in the apertures 144. The plate 142 is shown in the neutral position (FIGS. 10 and 11) and is held in that position by one or more detent springs secured to channel 36. The extensions 141 are similarly provided with an off position detent 151, a high posit-ion or elevation detent 152, and a low position detent 153 adapted for receiving detent springs 150.

The elevation switch 127 is secured to a bracket 155 on the foot channel 36 of the stationary frame 21 and has an actuating toggle 156 extending upward (FIG. 11) and centered in a slot 157 in the switch actuator plate 142. It should be noted that upon the pro-determined movement determined by the length of the slot 157, the actuator plate 142 will urge the toggle 156 of the switch 127 to either an elevate raise position E or to a lower position L (FIG. 11) depending on whether the elevator pedal 125 is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, and the switch actuator plate 142 and pedal 125 will be retained in a corresponding position by the action of the detent spring 150 in the respective elevate or lower detents 152 and 153, respectively, to likewise hold the elevation switch 127 in the corresponding elevation E or lower L positions. The electric circuit thus actuated will remain operable to correspondingly move the channel 85 to the right or left (FIG. 2) and will automatically shut off when either the left or right limit switches 104 and 108 is opened by actuators 103 or 107, respectively, as will hereinafter be described.

The tilt pedal 128 and the reverse tilt pedal 129 are pivotally mounted on the shaft 135 and are pivotally connected to tilt and reverse tilt links 160 and 161, respectively, by pins 162 so that by pressing on either of the pedals 128 or 129, the links 160 or 161, respectively will be moved to the right. The links 160 and 161 are slidably positioned in openings 163 (FIG. in the foot channel 36 of the stationary frame 21 and are respectively connected to tilt and reverse tilt latch actuating links .164 and 165 of the head and foot elevation linkage assemblies 25 and 26. The latch actuating links 64 and 65 are each provided with a pin 166 (FIGS. 7 and 8) that is slightably retained in slots 167 and 168 of the respective pedal actuated links 160 and 161 to provide a lost-motion connection between the latch actuating links 164 and 165 and the pedal actuated links 160- and 161.

It should be noted that by manually rotating the tilt on the reverse tilt pedals 128 and 129 a sufficient distance to overcome the lost motion in the respective slots 167 and 168 the latch actuating links 164 and 165 will be rotated counterclockwise (FIG. 7) causing the respective latch 115 to disengage itself from the corresponding square pin 83. Under these conditions the corresponding square pin 83, secured to the respective link 81, will not be urged to the right (FIGS. 2 and 7-9) when the channel 85 is urged to the right by the actuation of the motor 101 inasmuch as the pin 83 is thereupon free to move its respective slot 84. As a consequence, the latch 115 that has thus been disengaged from the square pin 83 makes the corresponding elevation linkage assembly 25 or 26 inoperative to elevate that portion of the movable frame 22, otherwise elevated thereby, and the movable frame 22 will be tilted upwardly at the other end by the elevation linkage assembly 25 or 26 that has not thus been made inoperative.

A yoke plate or bar 171 is provided between the tilt pedal link 160 and the reverse tilt pedal link 161, and is retained in link apertures 172 by pins 173. In the event that either the tilt pedal or the reverse tilt pedals 128 and 129 are actuated, the corresponding link 160 or 161 will cause the yoke 171 to pivot in the aperture 172 of the unactuated link 160 or 161 and engage the toggle 156 in the slot 157 to actuate the elevation switch 127 to the elevate position E (FIG. 11). The toggle 156 1s returned to the lower position L by pressing on the tread 138 of the elevation pedal 125 as previously described. It should be noted that the tilt and reverse tilt pedals 128 and 129 could both be actuated simultaneously, and the yoke 142 would move uniformly to the right (FIG. 10) and the switch actuating toggle 156 would be moved further to the right than if the yoke were pivoted, as in the case of individual actuation of the tilt pedals 128 or 129, with the possibility of damaging the elevation switch 127 by urging it beyond its mechanical limit.

To prevent simultaneous actuation of the tilt and reverse tilt pedals 128 and 129 that could cause the abovementioned damage to the elevation switch 127, a yoke bar 175 (FIGS. 10 and 11) is provided between the linkages 160 and 161. The bar 175 is retained in elongated apertures 176 of brackets 177 secured to the linkages 160 and 161 and extends through a slightly oversize circular aperture 178 through the T channel 139. In the event that both the tilt and reverse tilt pedals 128 and 129 are actuated simultaneously, the yoke bar 175 will prevent movement thereof of the pedals 128 and 129 and linkages 160 and 161 by virtue of the limitation exerted thereon by the circular aperture 178. However, it should be noted that if either of the tilt or reverse tilt pedals 128 or 129 are actuated, the yoke bar 175 is free to pivot in the circular aperture 178 and the elongated slots 176 in the brackets 177 of the unactuated linkage 160 or 161 to allow the actuated pedal 128 or 129 to pivot to move the switch actuating yoke 171 to cause the yoke 171 to engage the toggle 156 of the elevation switch 127.

The back panel manipulation linkage assembly 28 in-- cludes a pair of back raising arms 180 (FIGS. 2 and 5), a pivot tube 181, a pair of lower arms 182, inner and outer telescoping actuating tubes 183 and 184, respectively, a drive screw 185 and a motor unit 186 pivotally mounted on pins 187 between brackets 188 secured to the movable frame 22 for driving the screw 185. Each of the back raising arms 180 is provided with a roller 189 at the upper end thereof in respective rolling engagement with the back side panels 154. The lower ends of arms 180 are rigidly secured to the pivot tube 181.

The pivot tube 181 (FIG. 4) is rotatably mounted on brackets 190 that are rigidly secured to the side channels 147 of the movable frame 122. The pair of lower back raising arms 182 are rigidly secured to the left (FIG. 4) end portion of the tube 181, and are pivotally connected to the inner telescoping tube 183 by a pin 191 extending between the lower arms 182 and through a slot 192 in the inner telescoping tube 183. It should be noted that the pin 191 and slot 192 provide a pivotal connection between the lower arms 182 and the inner telescopic tube 183 that may be readily disconnected by raising the tube 183 out of engagement with the pin 191 so that any movement of the tube 183 will not be transmitted through the pin 191 to the lower back raising arms 182.

The inner telescoping tube 183 is provided with a threaded aperture 193 (FIG. 5) for receiving the drive screw 185 which is rotatably supported in the tube 183 by a bearing 194. When the motor 186 is actuated in either direction, the screw 185 will drive the inner telescoping tube 183 axially within the outer tube 184 causing the lower and upper arms 182 and 180 to pivot about the tube 181 on brackets 190 and thereby cause the head or back panel 150 to pivot about the pivot connection 55 to angularly position the back panel.

The knee panel actuating linkage assembly 29 (FIG. 6) includes a pair of upper knee panel positioning arms 200, a pivot tube 201, a pair of lower knee arms 202, an inner and outer telescoping actuating tubes 203 and 204, respectively, and motor unit 205 pivotally secured to a bracket assembly 206. The upper knee panel raising arms 200 are provided with rollers 107 at one end thereof in respective engagement with the side channels 56 of the upper knee panel 52 and are rigidly secured to the pivot tube 201 (FIG. 6). The pivot tube 201 is pivotally mounted on brackets 208, respectively, secured to the side channels 56 of the movable frame 22.

The lower knee raising arms 202 are rigidly secured to the pivot tube 201 on the side of the bed opposite the lower head panel raising arms 82 (FIG. 4) and are pivotally connected to the inner telescoping tube 203 by a pin 209 extending between the arms and in a notch 210 in the tube 201. It should be noted that the pivotal connection between the lower arms 202 and the inner drive tube 203 may be disconnected by raising the inner drive tube 203 upward to disengage the pin 209 from the notch 210. The inner telescoping drive tube 203 is provided with an axial threaded aperture 211 for receiving a drive screw 212 so that when the knee motor 205 is actuated in either direction, the drive screw 212 will be driven accordingly and the arms 200 and 202 and the pivot tube 201 will be pivoted to angularly position the upper knee panel 52 about 57 and thereby angularly position the upper knee panel 52.

A U-shaped foot panel support 213 has the ends thereof pivotally mounted in respective slots 214 in the side channels 58 of the lower knee panel 53 and is adapted to be retained within the plane of the lower knee panel 52 by a resilient clip 215. The support 213 may be manually removed from the clip 215 and the lower knee panel 53 can be manually pivoted upwardly about 59 and the support 213 positioned in any one of a series of catches 216 secured to the side channels 47 of the movable frame 22. The support provides an additional manual adjustment of the lower knee panel 52 and one uch position is indicated (FIG. 6).

The electric system for providing the power for operating the bed 20 (FIG. 15) includes generally a power source V, the back actuation motor 186, the elevation motor 101, the knee panel actuation motor 205, the elevation control switch 127, and the patient control panel 31.

Each of the motor 186, 205, and 101 is provided with a forward drive winding F, a reverse drive winding R, and a spring actuated solenoid de-actuated brake B. Power is supplied to the elevation motor 101 through a key operated master switch 25 (FIGS. 3 and 15) and a master elevation switch 226 mounted on the foot panel 36 of the stationary frame 21, through the pedal actuated toggle elevation switch 127 (FIG. 11) and through the limit switches 104 and 108 mounted on the channel 85 depending on whether the elevation switch 127 is in the elevate E or the lower L positions, and the elevation circuit is completed to the source V. If the elevation switch 127 is in the off position, no current will pass to the elevation motor 101. It can be readily seen that by positioning the elevation switch 127 in the elevate E or lower L position, with the limit switches 104 and 108 in the normally closed position, the forward F or reverse R drive coils, respectively, of the elevation motor 101 will be actuated to drive the motor accordingly. When the elevation switch 127 is closed, the spring actuated and solenoid de-actuated brake B of the motor 101 is de-actuated to release the motor 101 and when the switch 127 is opened, the brake B is spring actuated to hold the motor 101 against rotation and likewise hold the elevation linkages 25 and 26, driven by the motor, in fixed position.

Power is provided to the knee panel manipulating motor 205 through the master switch 225 and a master knee switch 227 mounted on the foot channel 36 of the stationary frame 21, through the normally open reverse and forward switches 228 and 229 mounted in the patient control panel 31 and separately to the forward and reverse motor drive coils F and R, respectively, and the circuit is completed to the power source V. It should be noted when the master switch 225 is closed the reverse knee switch 228 can be actuated as indicated by the arrow (FIG. 15) to close the circuit to the reverse drive coil R of motor 205 to drive the motor 205 in reverse.

Similarly, the forward knee switch 229 can be moved in the direction of the arrow to close the circuit to the forward drive coil F of motor 205 to drive the motor 205 in a forward direction. Also, it should be noted that when either the lower or raise knee switches 228 and 229 are closed, the spring actuated and solenoid deactuated brake B of the motor 205 is de-actuated to release the motor 205 and when either of the switches 228 or 229 are allowed to return to the normally open position thereof, the brake B of the motor 205 i spring actuated to hold the motor 205 against rotation and, as a result, the knee panel 52 will be held in the established position.

Power is supplied to the back motor 186 through the master switch 225 and reverse and forward switches 230 and 231, through separate paths to either the reverse or the forward motor drive coils R or F, respectively, and the circuit is completed to the power source V. If the reverse switch 230 is moved in the direction of the arrow (FIGS. 12 and 15), the power will flow through the switches 230 and 231 to the reverse coil R to drive the motor 186 in reverse.

Similarly, if the forward switch 231 is moved in the direction of the arrow (FIGS. 12 and 15), the current will flow through the switches 230 and 231 to the motor forward drive coil F of motor 186 to drive the motor 205 accordingly. Also, it should be noted that when either the reverse or the forward knee switches 230 or 231 are closed, the brake B of the motor 186 is electrically deactuated to release the motor 186 and when either of the switches 230 or 231 are allowed to return to the normally open position thereof, the brake B of the motor 186 is spring actuated to hold the motor 186 against rotation and likewise hold the back panel 50 in the established position.

Operation For purposes of describing the operation of this invention, the normal position for the movable frame 22 of the bed 20 that exemplifies the invention will be assumed to be the down position (FIG. 1) with the latches in engagement with the respective complementary square pins 83 thereof. The normal down position for the bed .20 is the position where the movable frame 22 is the downmost position with respect to the stationary frame 21 and when the mattress frame 23 is in the fiat position (FIGS. 1 and 8).

To uniformly elevate the movable frame 22 horizontally, the operator presses on the tread 137 of elevation pedal to cause the link 139 and plate 142 to move the toggle 156 to the right or elevate position E (FIG. 11). The plate 142 and the toggle 156 are held in this position by the spring in engagement with the elevation detent 152. When the toggle 156 is in the elevate E position (FIGS. l1 and 15) the switch 127 is closed to supply current to the forward drive winding F of motor 101 to drive the motor 101 in the forward direction. Forward rotation of motor 101 rotates the screw 67 to drive the channel 85, pins 83, links 81 to the right, which in turn, will cause the arms 80 and 72 of the head and foot elevation linkage assemblies 25 and 26 to respectively rotate counterclockwise about the bracket 74 (FIG. 2). The counterclockwise pivotal movement of the arm 72 will urge the bracket 70 in a circular path beginning with a general movement upwardly and to the right.

As long as the switch 127 is held in the elevate E position by the spring 150 and the detent 152, the motor 101 will continue to run in the forward direction to substantially uniformly rotate the linkage assemblies 25 and 26 about the respective brackets 74 thereof to substantially uniformly raise the movable frame 22 horizontally. This movement will continue until the limit switch actuating arm 103 engages limit switch 104 (FIGS. 9 and 15), or until the tread 138 of pedal 125 is pressed to cause the toggle 156 to be moved to the off position as shown (FIG. 11). In either event, the forward motor winding F of motor 101 will be deactuated to stop the motor 101 and the spring actuated and solenoid deactuated brake B will be actuated to hold the motor against rotation. Thus the movable frame 22 will be held by the brake B of the motor 101 in whatever position it is in when the forward motor winding R of motor 101 is deactuated by either the limit switch 104 or the toggle elevation switch 127.

The movable frame 22 is lowered from any elevated position by pressing the tread 138 of elevation pedal 125 to move the link 139 and the switch actuating plate 142 to the left (FIG. 11) so that the spring 150 will engage the lower position detent 153. The plate 142 will thereupon hold the toggle 156 in the lower position L (FIG. 15) and the reverse winding R of motor 101 will be actuated to cause the motor to rotate in the reverse direction. Reverse rotation of motor 101 will cause the screw 67 to drive the channel 85, pins 83, links 81 to the left, which in turn, will cause arms 80 and 72 of the head and foot elevation linkage assemblies 25 and 26 to respectively rotate clockwise about the brackets 74 (FIG. 2) to uniformly lower the movable frame 22 continuously until the limit switch actuator 107 engages and opens the limit switch 108, or until the tread 137 of pedal 125 is pressed to cause the toggle 156 to be moved to the off or open position as shown (FIG. 11). In either The movable frame 22 is tilted (FIG. 13) by actuating only the foot elevation linkage assembly 26 after the movable frame 22 is moved to the down position (FIGS. 1 and 8). The tilt pedal 128 is pivoted on tube 135 to rotate clockwise (FIG. 11) to cause the tilt link 160 to move to the right (FIGS. 7 and 10). After the lost motion in the slot 167 and the pin 166 connection is taken up, the tilt link 160 will urge the link 164 of the head elevation linkage assembly 25 counterclockwise (FIG. 7). Inasmuch as the link 164 and the latch 115 are rigidly secured to the pin 116, which is rotatably mounted in the tube 85, the link 164 will rotate the latch 115 counterclockwise out of engagement with the respective square pin 83 of the head elevation linkage assembly 25 so that the pin 83 thereof will be free to move in the respective complementary slot 84 of the tube 85.

The forward winding F of motor 101 is actuated by the movement of the switch 127 to the elevate E position by depressing the tilt pedal 128 at the same time that the link 164 is rotated to move the bar 171 to the forward or right position (FIG. 11). This will drive the screw 167 to move the channel 85 to the right (FIGS. 7 and 8). Inasmuch as the square pin 83 of the head elevation assembly 25 has been released from the latch 115, the pin 83 is free to move in the slot 84. The head elevation link assembly 25 will not be actuated by the movement of the channel 85 and the head end of the movable frame 22 will, therefore, not be elevated.

However, the foot elevation linkage assembly 26 will be actuated by the movement of the channel 85 as previously described in the uniform elevation operation of the movable frame 22 and thus the movable frame 22 will be pivoted about pins 75 of the head elevation linkage assembly 25 to a tilted position (FIG. 13). The movable frame 22 may be retained in any selected tilted position by merely removing the depressing force from the pedal 128. This will allow the spring 119 of the head elevation linkage 25 to return the pedal 128 counterclockwise to the up position and return the switch 127 to the open or off position (FIGS. 11 and 15) to cause the de-actuation of the forward rotation winding F of the motor 101 as previously described. Otherwise, when the frame 22 reaches the maximum tilt position (FIG. 13) the limit switch 104 will be opened by arm 103 to produce the same locking positioning of the frame 22.

When the elevation switch 127 is originally closed, the spring actuated and solenoid deactuated brake B of the motor 101 is deactuated. When either the limit switch 104 or the elevation switch 127 is opened, the brake B is spring-actuated to hold the motor 101 against rotation and likewise hold the elevation linkage 25 in fixed position to retain the tilted position of the movable frame 22.

The tilted frame 22 may be returned to the normal down position by pressing the tread 138 of the elevation pedal 125 to the extent that plate 142 urges toggle 156 to the lower position L with the spring 150 engaging the lower detent 153. With the toggle 156 in this position, the switch 127 is in the lower position L (FIG. 15), so that the reverse motor winding R of motor 101 is actuated to drive the motor 101 in reverse and the brake solenoid B of motor 101 are actuated to release the motor. Reverse rotation of motor 101 will drive the screw 167 of the head elevation linkage 25 to cause the head elevation linkage 25 to pivot clockwise about the brackets '74 to return the head of the movable frame 22 from the tilt position (FIG. 13) to a selected lower or the down position (FIG. 1). A selected lower position between the up position is obtained by merely moving the toggle 156 to off position to open the switch 127. This toggle may be moved by pressing the tread 137 of the elevation pedal 125. In so doing, the open switch causes the motor 101 to become locked as previously described and the intermediate selected position will be mintainecl.

The movable frame 22 is reverse tilted (FIG. 14) in much the same manner as it is tilted (FIG. 13). To initiate reverse tilt of frame 22, reverse tilt pedal 129 is depressed instead of the tilt pedal 128. The reverse tilt pedal 129 is pivoted on tube to rotate clockwise (FIG. 11) and is pivotally connected to reverse tilt links 161 by the pin 162 to cause the reverse tilt link 161 to move to the right (FIGS. 7 and 10). After the lost motion in the slot 168 and the pin 166 connection is taken up, the tilt link 161 will urge the link 164 of the foot elevation linkage assembly 26 counterclockwise (FIGS. 7 and 8). Inasmuch as the link 164 and the latch 115 are rigidly secured to the pin 116 which is rotatably mounted in the tube 85, the latch 164 will rotate the latch 115 counterclockwise out of engagement with the respective square pin 83 of the foot elevation linkage assembly 26 so that the pin 83 thereof will be free to move in a respective complementary slot 84 of the tube 85.

The forward winding F of the motor 101 is actuated by the movement of the switch 127 to the elevate E position by depressing the reverse tilt pedal 129 at the same time that the link 165 is rotated to move the bar 171 to the forward or right position. The motor 101 will thereupon drive the screw 67 to move the channel 85 to the left (FIGS. 7 and 8). Inasmuch as the square pin 83 of the foot elevation linkage assembly 26 has been released from the latch 115, the pin 83 is free to move in the slot 84. The foot elevation link assembly 26 will not be actuated by the movement of the channel 85 and the foot end of the movable frame 22 will, therefore, not be elevated. However, the head elevation linkage assembly 25 will be actuated by the movement of the channel 85 as previously described in the uniform elevation operation of the movable frame 22 and thus the movable frame 22 will be pivoted about the pins 75 of the foot elevation linkage assembly 26 to a reverse tilted position (FIG. 14).

Inasmuch as the arms 72 of the head elevation linkage assemblies 25 and 26 (FIGS. 1 and 8) are below the horizontal position when the frame 22 is in the down position, initial counterclockwise movement of either of the assemblies 25 or 26 will first move the frame 22 upward and to the right. Thus, the frame 22 will first move to the right during the initial counterclockwise movement of the linkages 25 or 26 until the arms 72 approach the horizontal position. As the frame 22 moves to the right during this reverse tilt movement, the lateral channel 48 between the side channels 47 will be cause to engage the cam surface 47 of fulcrum 40 (FIGS. 2 and 14). This will cause a slight raising of the foot and of the movable frame 22 during the reverse tilt thereof so that the foot board 46 will not press down on the pedal assembly 30 or otherwise approach the assembly 30 to prevent ready access thereto.

The movable frame 22 may be retained in any selected reverse tilted position between the normal down position (FIG. 1) and the reverse tilt position (FIG. 14) by merely removing the depressing force from the pedal 129. This will allow the spring 119 of the foot elevation linkage 26 to return the pedal 129 counterclockwise to the up position and return the switch 127 to the open or off position (FIGS. 11 and 15) to cause the deactuation of the forward rotation winding F of the elevation motor 101 as previously described.

When the elevation switch 127 is originally closed, the spring actuated and solenoid deactuated brake B of 1 1 the motor 101 and when either the limit switch 104 or the elevation switch 127 is opened, the brake B is spring actuated to hold the motor 101 against rotation and likewise hold the elevation linkage 26 in fixed position to retain the tilted position of the movable frame 22.

The reverse tilted frame 22 may be returned to the normal down position by pressing the tread 138 of the elevation pedal 125 to the extent that the plate 142 urges toggle 156 to the lower position L with the spring 150 engaging the lower detent 153. With the toggle 156 in this position, the switch 127 is in the lower position L (FIG. 15) so that the reverse motor winding R of motor 101 is actuated to drive the motor 101 in reverse and the brake solenoid B of motor 101 is actuated to release the motor. Reverse rotation of motor 101 will drive the screw 167 of the foot elevation linkage 26 to cause the foot elevation linkage 26 to pivot clockwise about the bracket 74 to return the foot of the movable frame 22 from the reverse tilt position (FIG. 15) to a selected lower or the down position (FIG. 1).

A selected lower position between the up reverse tilt position is obtained by merely moving the toggle 156 to the off position to open the switch 127. This toggle may be moved by pressing the tread 137 of elevation pedal 125. In so doing, the open switch causes the motor 101 to become locked as previously described and the intermediate selected position will be maintained.

When the movable frame 22 is returned to the normal down position (FIG. 1) from either of the tilted positions (FIGS. 13 and 14) the latches 115 that were originally disengaged to allow the respective tilt or reverse tilt of the movable frame 22 will be reengaged with the respective square pin 83 in the slot 107 thereof. This reengagement is accomplished even though the pin 83 may be moved by the pin coming to rest on the cam surface 118 of the disengaged latch 115 and as the channel 85 continues to move to the left to bring the movable frame 22 to a down position, the pin 83 will ride over the cam surface 118 and engage the slot 107 of the latch 115 (FIGS. 7 and 8).

The head or back panel 50 is raised or lowered by the actuation of the back elevation linkage assembly 28 (FIGS. 2 and 5). The back elevation linkage assembly 28 is driven by the back motor 186 (FIGS. 6 and which has a forward and reverse winding F and R and spring actuated and solenoid deactuated brake B like the elevation motor 101 and operates identically. For this reason, the detailed operation of motor 186 will not be discussed in detail in reference hereto.

To raise the back panel 50, the forward switch 231, mounted in the hand control panel 31, is actuated in the direction of the arrow (FIG. 15 to complete a circuit through switch 230 to the forward winding F and the brake B of the motor 186. Motor 186 thereupon drives the screw 185 in the tube 183 to pivot the arms 180 and 181 counterclockwise about the tube 181 in the brackets 190. The rollers 189 engage the respective back channel 54 to raise the back panel 50 by pivoting it about 55. The back motor 186 can be deactuated during any increment pivotal movement of the back panel 50 about 55 and the back elevation linkage assembly 28 Will hold the back panel 50 in position by virtue of the spring actuated brake B acting on the back motor 186 as previously described with reference to the elevation motor 101.

The back panel 50 is lowered by merely moving the switch 230, mounted in the hand control 31, in the direction of the arrow (FIG. 15 to close a circuit through switch 231 to the reverse winding R and the brake B of the motor 186 to cause the motor 186 to drive the screw 185 in the reverse direction in the tube 183 to pivot the arms 180 and 182 counterclockwise (FIG. 5). The motor 186 will lock the back elevation linkage assembly 28 and the back panel 50 in whatever position the back panel 50 is in when the switch 230 is released.

The upper knee panel 52 is raised or lowered by the action of the knee elevation linkage assembly 29 (FIGS.

2 and 6). The knee elevation linkage assembly 29 is driven by the knee motor 205 (FIGS. 6 and 15) which has a forward and reverse winding F and R and a spring actuated and solenoid deactuated brake B like the elevation motor 101 and the back motor 186 and which operates identically. For this reason the detail operation of motor 205 will not be discussed in detail in reference hereto.

To raise the knee panel 52, the forward switch 229, mounted in the hand control panel 31, is actuated in the direction of the arrow (FIG. 15 to complete a circuit through the switch 228 to the forward winding F and the brake B of the motor 205. Motor 205 thereupon drives the screw 212 in the tube 203 to pivot the arms 200 and 202 counterclockwise about the tube 201 in brackets 208. The rollers 107 engage the respective knee panels 56 to raise the panel 52 by pivoting at about 57. The knee motor 205 can be deactuated during any increment of pivotal movement of the knee panel 52 about 57 and the knee elevation linkage assembly 29 will hold the knee panel 52 in position by virtue of the spring actuated brake B acting on the knee motor 205 as previously described with reference to the elevation motor 101 and the back motor 186.

The knee panel 52 is lowered by merely moving the switch 228, mounted in the hand control 31, in the direction of the arrow (FIG. 15) to close a circuit through switch 229 to the reverse winding R and the brake B of the motor 205 to cause the motor 205 to drive the screw 212 (FIG. 6) in the reverse direction in the tube 212 to pivot the arms 200 and 202 clockwise (FIG. 6). The motor 205 will lock the knee elevation linkage assembly 29 and the knee panel 52 in whatever position the knee panel 52 is in when the switch 228 is released.

It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific constructions and arrangements shown and described, except only insofar as the claims may be so limited, as it will be understood to those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame, a movable frame, a mattress support frame, head elevation linkages interconnecting the head portion of said stationary frame with the head portion of said movable frame and the foot portion of said stationary frame with the foot portion of said movable frame and operable to elevate said movable frame, a link disconnectably connected to said elevation linkages and actuatable to operate said elevation linkages, latch means for selectively disconnecting either the head or foot portions of said elevation linkages from said link to prevent elevation of the disconnected portion of the movable frame when said link is actuated, and means for actuating said link.

2. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame, a movable frame, a mattress support frame, elevation linkages interconnecting the head portion of said stationary frame with the head portion of said movable frame and the foot portion of said stationary frame with the foot portion of said movable frame and operable to elevate said movable frame, a link disconnectably connected to said elevation linkages and actuatable to operate said elevation linkages, latch means actuatable for selectively disconnecting either the head or foot portions of said elevation linkages from said link to prevent elevation of the disconnected portion of said movable frame when said link is actuated, means for actuating said latch means, means for actuating said link, said mattress support frame having a panel pivotally mounted on said movable frame, and means mounted on said movable frame for selectively pivotally positioning said panel with respect to said movable frame.

3. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame, a movable frame, a mattress support frame, elevation linkages interconnecting the head portion of said stationary frame with the head portion of said movable frame and the foot portion of said stationary frame with the foot portion of said movable frame and operable to elevate said movable frame, a link disconnectably connected to said elevation linkage and actuatable to operate said elevation linkages, latch means actuatable for selectively disconnecting either the head or foot portions of said elevation linkages from said link to prevent elevation of the disconnected portion of said movable frame when said link is actuated, means for actuating said latch means, means for actuating said link, said mattress support frame having a panel pivotally mounted on said movable frame, a linkage interconnecting said mattress panel and said movable frame and operable to pivotally position said panel with respect to said movable frame, said panel positioning linkage including a pivot joint having a notch opening downwardly in one link and a pin secured to an adjacent link and extending into the notch and adapted to operatively connect said adjacent links, and means for actuating said panel positioning linkage.

4. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame, a movable frame, a mattress support frame, elevation linkages interconnecting the head portion of said stationary frame with the head portion of said movable frame and the foot portion of said stationary frame with the foot portion of said movable frame and operable to elevate said movable frame, a link disconnectably connected to said elevation linkages and actuatable to op erate said elevation linkages, latch means actuatable for selectively disconnecting either the head or foot por tions of said elevation linkages from said link to pre vent elevation of the disconnected portion of said movable frame when said link is actuated, means for actuating said latch means, means for actuating said link, said mattress support frame having head and knee panels pivotally mounted on said movable frame, and means mounted on said movable frame for selectively positioning said panels with respect to said movable frame.

' 5. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame, a movable frame, a mattress support frame, elevation linkages interconnecting the head portion of said stationary frame with the head portion of said movable frame and the foot portion of said stationary frame with the foot portion of said movable frame and operable to elevate said movable frame, a link disconnectibly connected to said elevation linkage and actuatable to perate said elevation linkages, latch means actuatable for selectively disconnecting either the head or foot portions of said elevation linkages from said link to prevent elevation of the disconnected portion of said movable frame when said link is actuated, said latch means each including a pin slidably mounted in a slot in said link and a latch pivotally mounted on-said link and engageable with said pin, a spring connecting each of said latches with said link for urging said latches into respective engagement with said pins to prevent said pins from moving in the slot to respectively connect said elevation linkages with said link, means for actuating either of said latches, means for actuating said link, said mattress support frame having head and knee panels pivotally mounted on said movable frame, and means mounted on said movable frame for selectively and pivotally positioning said panels with respect to said movable frame.

6. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame; a movable frame; a mattress support frame; said frames having head and foot portions respectively adjacently positioned; a head elevation linkage connecting the head portion of said stationary frame with the head portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the head portion of said movable frame; a foot elevation linkage connecting the foot portion of said stationary frame with the foot portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the foot portion of said movable frame; link means for interconnecting said head and foot elevation linkages and actuatable to operate said head and foot elevation linkages; motivating means operable for actuating said head and foot elevation linkage operating means in forward, reverse, or off condition to provide a raise, lower, or stop actuation of said linkages respectively on said movable frame; means for selectively actuating said motivating means; a pin slidably mounted in a longitudinal slot formed in said interconnecting link adjacent said head elevation linkage, a head latch pivotally mounted on said interconnecting link means and adapted to engage said head pin to prevent relative movement between said interconnecting link and said head .pin whereby said head elevation linkage is connected to said interconnecting link, a pin slidably mounted in a longitudinal slot formed in said interconnecting link adjacent said foot elevation linkage, a foot latch pivotally mounted on said interconnecting link means and adapted to engage said foot pin to prevent relative movement between said interconnecting link and said foot pin whereby said foot elevation linkage is connected to said interconnecting link; and means for selectively disconnecting either of said latches to prevent elevation of the disconnected portion of said movable frame when said motivating means is actuated.

7. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame; a movable frame; a mattress support frame; said frames having head and foot portions respectively adjacently positioned; a head elevation linkage connecting the head portion of said stationary frame with the head portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the head portion of said movable frame; a foot elevation linkage connecting the foot portion of said stationary frame with the foot portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the foot portion of said movable frame; link means for interconnecting said head and foot elevation linkages and actuatable to operate said head and foot elevation linkages; motivating means operable for actuating said head and foot elevation linkage operating means in forward, reverse, or off condition to provide raise, lower, or stop actuation of said linkages respectively on said movable frame; means for selectively actuating said motivating means; a pin slidably mounted in a longitudinal slot formed in said interconnecting link adjacent said head or said elevation linkage, a latch pivotally mounted on said interconnecting link means and adapted to engage said pin to prevent relative movement between said interconnecting link and said pin whereby said adjacent elevation linkage is connected to said interconnecting link, and means for disconnecting said latch to prevent elevation of the end of said movable frame adjacent said latch when said motivating means is actuated.

8. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame; a movable frame; a mattress support frame; said frames having head and foot portions respectively adjacently positioned; a head elevation linkage connecting the head portion of said stationary frame with the head portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the head portion of said movable frame; a foot elevation linkage connecting the foot portion of said stationary frame with the foot portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the foot portion of said movable frame; link means for interconnecting said head and foot elevation linkages and actuatable to operate said head and foot elevation linkages; motivating means operable for actuating said head and foot elevation linkage operating means in forward, reverse, or off condition to provide a raise, lower, or stop actuation of said linkages respectively on said movable frame; means for selectively actuating said motivating means; a head latch means in terconnecting said head elevation linkage with said interconnecting link means; a foot latch means interconnecting said foot elevation linkage with said interconnecting link means; and means for selectively disconnecting either of said latch means to prevent elevation of the disconnected portion of said movable frame when said motivating means is actuated.

9. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame; a movable frame; a mattress support frame; said frames having head and foot portions respectively adjacently positioned; a head elevation linkage connecting the head portion of said stationary frame with the head portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the head portion of said movable frame; a foot elevation linkage connecting the foot portion of said stationary frame with the foot portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the foot portion of said movable frame; link means for interconnecting said head and foot elevation linkages and actuatable to operate said head and foot elevation linkages; motivating means operable for actuating aid head and foot elevation linkage operating means in forward, reverse, or off condition to provide a raise, lower, or stop actuation of said linkages respectively on the corresponding portions of said movable frame; means for selectively operating said motivating means in the forward, reverse, or off conditions; limit means for limiting the forward and reverse operation of said interconnecting link; a head latch means interconnecting said head elevation linkage with said interconnecting link means; a foot latch means interconnecting said foot elevation linkage with said interconnecting link means; and means for selectively disconnecting either of said latch means to prevent elevation of the corresponding disconnected portion of said movable frame when said motivating means is actuated.

10. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame; a movable frame; a mattress support frame; said frames having head and foot portions respectively adjacently positioned; a head elevation linkage connecting the head portion of said stationary frame with the head portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the head portion of said movable frame; a foot elevation linkage connecting the foot portion of said stationary frame with the foot portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the foot portion of said movable frame; link means for interconnecting said head and foot elevation linkages and actuatable to operate said head and foot elevation linkages; motivating means operable for actuating said head and foot elevation linkage operating means in forward, reverse, or off condition to provide a raise, lower, or stop actuation of said linkages respectively on the corresponding portions of said movable frame; yieldable means for normally urging said motivating means to the off condition; means for selectively actuating said motivating means to the forward or reverse condition against the action of said yieldable means; a head latch means interconnecting said head elevation linkage with said interconnecting link means; a foot latch means interconnecting said foot elevation linkage with said interconnecting link means; and means for selectively disconnecting either of said latch means to prevent elevation of the disconnected portion of said movable frame when said motivating means is actuated.

11. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame; a movable frame; a mattress support frame; said frames having head and foot portions respectively adjacently positioned; a head elevation linkage connecting the head portion of said stationary frame with the head portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the head portion of said movable frame; a foot elevation linkage connecting the foot portion of said stationary frame with the foot portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the foot portion of said movable frame; link means for interconnecting said head and foot elevation linkages and actuatable to operate said head and foot elevation linkages; motivating means operable for actuating said head and foot elevation linkage operating means in forward, reverse, or off condition to provide a raise, lower, or stop actuation of said linkages respectively on the corresponding portions of said movable frame; a head latch means interconnecting said head elevation linkage with said interconnecting link means; a foot latch means interconnecting said foot elevation linkage with said interconnecting link means; a stationarily mounted switch having a forward, off, and reverse position for actuating said motivating means in forward, off, or reverse respectively; an elevation pedal pivotally mounted on said stationary frame and operable in two directions; a switch actuating linkage between said switch and said pedal for actuating said switch between forward and reverse through an off position by respective pivotal movements of said pedal; a tilt pedal pivotally mounted on said stationary frame; a tilt latch linkage operatively connecting said tilt pedal with said head latch means for disconnecting said head latch means to prevent elevation of the head portion of said movable frame when said motivating means is operated; a reverse tilt pedal pivotally mounted on said stationary frame; a reverse tilt latch linkage operatively connecting said reverse tilt pedal with said foot latch means for disconnecting said foot latch means to prevent elevation of the foot portion of said movable frame when said motivating means is operated; a switch actuating yoke pivotally mounted on and between said tilt and reverse tilt latch actuating links for pivotal movement about said head or said foot latch actuating links into engagement with said switch to move said switch into the forward position when either the tilt or the reverse tilt pedal is depressed to disconnect the corresponding latch means and to operate said motivating means forwardly to raise the latch connected portion of the movable frame portion of said movable frame; and means for preventing simultaneous actuation of said tilt and reverse tilt pedals.

12. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame; a movable frame; a mattress support frame; said frames having head and foot portions respectively adjacently positioned; a head elevation linkage connecting the head portion of said stationary frame with the head portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the head portion of said movable frame; a foot elevation linkage connecting the foot portion of said stationary frame with the foot portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the foot portion of said movable frame; link means for interconnecting said head and foot elevation linkages and actuatable to operate said head and foot elevation linkages; motivating means operable for actuating said head and foot elevation linkage operating means in forward, reverse, or off condition to provide a raise, lower, or stop actuation of said linkages respectively on the corresponding portions of said movable frame; a head latch means interconnecting said head elevation linkage with said interconnecting link means; a foot latch means interconnecting said foot elevation linkage with said interconnecting link means; a stationarily mounted switch having a forward, off, and reverse position for actuating said motivating means in forward, off, or reverse respectively; an elevation pedal pivotally mounted on said stationary frame and operable in two directions; a switch actuating linkage between said switch and said pedal for actuating said switch between forward and reverse through an off position by respective pivotal movements of said pedal; a tilt pedal pivotally mounted on said stationary frame; a tilt latch linkage operatively connecting said tilt pedal with said head latch means for disconnecting said head latch means to prevent elevation of the head portion of said movable frame when said motivating means is operated; a reverse tilt pedal pivotally mounted on said stationary frame; a reverse tilt latch linkage operatively connecting said reverse tilt pedal with said foot latch means for disconnecting said foot latch means to prevent elevation of the foot portion of said movable frame when said motivating means is operated; a switch actuating yoke pivotally mounted on and between said tilt and reverse tilt latch actuating links for pivotal movement about said head or said foot latch actuating links into engagement with said switch to move said switch into the forward position when either the tilt or the reverse tilt pedal is depressed to disconnect the corresponding latch means and to operate said motivating means forwardly to raise the latch connected portion of the movable frame portion of said movable frame; and a limit yoke pivotally mounted at its center on said stationary frame and at its ends on the tilt and reverse tilt latch linkages respectively for preventing simultaneous actuation of said tilt and reverse tilt pedals in one direction.

13. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame; a movable frame; a mattress support frame; said frames having head and foot portions respectively adjacently positioned; a head elevation linkage connecting the head portion of said stationary frame with the head portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the head portion of said movable frame; a foot elevation linkage connecting the foot portion of said stationary frame with the foot portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the foot portion of said movable frame; link means for interconnecting said head and foot elevation linkages and actuatable to operate said head and foot elevation linkages; motivating means operable for actuating said head and foot elevation linkage operating means in forward, reverse, or off condition to provide a raise, lower, or stop actuation of said linkages respectively on the corresponding portions of said movable frame; a head latch means interconnecting said head elevation linkage with said interconnecting link means; a foot latch means interconnecting said foot elevation linkage with said interconnecting link means; a stationarily mounted switch having a forward, off, and reverse position for actuating said motivating means in forward, off, or reverse respectively; an elevation pedal pivotally mounted on said stationary frame and operable in two directions; a switch actuating linkage between said switch and said pedal for actuating said switch between forward and reverse through an off position by respective pivotal movements of said pedal; a tilt pedal pivotally mounted on said stationary frame; a tilt latch linkage operatively connecting said tilt pedal with said head latch means for disconnecting said head latch means to prevent elevation of the head portion of said movable frame when said motivating means is operated; a reverse tilt pedal pivotally mounted on said stationary frame; a reverse tilt latch linkage operatively connecting said reverse tilt pedal with said foot latch means for disconnecting said foot latch means to prevent elevation of the foot portion of said movable frame when said motivating means is operated; said head and said foot latch linkages each having a lost motion joint whereby said linkages are effective to disconnect the respective latch means when the movable frame is in the downmost position; a switch actuating yoke pivotally mounted on and between said tilt and reverse tilt latch actuating links for pivotal movement about said head or said foot latch actuating links into engagement with said switch to move said switch into the forward position when either the tilt or the reverse tilt pedal is depressed to disconnect the corresponding latch means and to operate said motivating means forwardly to raise the latch connected portion of the movable frame portion of said movable frame; and means for preventing simultaneous actuation of said tilt and reverse tilt pedals.

14. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame, a movable frame, a mattress support frame, said frames having head and foot portions respectively adjacently positioned, a head elevation linkage connecting the head portion of said stationary frame with the head portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the head portion of said movable frame, a foot elevation linkage connecting the foot portion of said stationary frame with the foot portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the foot portion of said movable frame, link means for interconnecting said head and foot elevation linkages and actuatable to operate said head and foot elevation linkages, motivating means for actuating said head and foot linkage operating means, means for actuating said motivating means, a head latch means interconnecting said head elevation linkage with said interconnecting link means, a foot latch means interconnecting said foot elevation linkage with said interconnecting link means, means for selectively disconnecting either of said latch means, said mattress frame having a stationary center portion originally secured to said movable frame, said mattress frame having a back panel pivotally secured to the head end of said center panel, means mounted on said movable frame for adjustably pivoting said back panel relative to said movable frame, said mattress frame having a knee panel pivotally connected to the foot end of said stationary panel, means mounted on said movable frame for adjustably pivoting said knee panel relative to said movable frame, and a foot panel pivotally connected to the foot end of said knee panel.

15. An adjustable bed comprising a relatively fixed frame, a movable frame, a mattress support frame, said frames having head and foot portions respectively adjacently positioned, a head elevation linkage connecting the head portion of said stationary frame with the head portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the head portion of said movable frame, a foot elevation linkage connecting the foot portion of said stationary frame with the foot portion of said movable frame and operable to adjustably elevate the foot portion of said movable frame, said head and foot elevation linkages being pivotally mounted on said stationary frame to elevate the respective ends of the movable frame through a substantially vertical arcuate path providing a horizontal displacement thereof, link means for interconnecting said head and foot elevation linkages and actuatable to operate said head and foot elevation linkages, motivating means for actuating said head and foot linkage operating means, means for actuating said motivating means, a head latch means interconnecting said head elevation linkage with said interconnecting link means, a foot latch means interconnecting said foot elevation linkage with said interconnecting link means, means for selectively disconnecting either of said latch means to cause said movable frame to pivotally tilt generally about the disconnected latch means in a horizontally displaced end moved through the substantially vertical arcuate path, a fulcrum cam mount ed on said stationary frame and adapted to engage and elevate the foot end portion of the movable frame during elevation of the head portion of the movable frame when said foot latch means is disconnected for providing an elevated point about which the foot end portion of the movable frame will pivot during the elevation of the head end portion of the movable frame.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,445,258 7/ 1948 Beem 5-79 X 2,651,785 9/1953 Berner 5-69 X 3,036,314 .5/1962 Wetzler 5-63 3,059,248 10/1962 Wetzler 5--63 3,089,150 5/1963 Brigg et al. 5-68 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN ADJUSTABLE BED COMPRISING A RELATIVELY FIXED FRAME, A MOVABLE FRAME, A MATTRESS SUPPORT FRAME, A HEAD ELEVATION LINKAGES INTERCONNECTING THE HEAD PORTION OF SAID STATIONARY FRAME WITH THE HEAD PORTION OF SAID MOVABLE FRAME AND THE FOOT PORTION OF SAID STATIONARY FRAME WITH THE FOOT PORTION OF SAID MOVABLE FRAME AND OPERABLE TO ELEVATE AID MOVABLE FRAME, A LINK DISCONNECTABLY CONNECTED TO SAID ELEVATION LINKAGES AND ACTUABLE TO OPERATE SAID ELEVATION LINKAGES, LATCH MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY DISCONNECTING EITHER THE HEAD OR FOOT PORTIONS OF SAID ELEVATION LINKAGES FROM SAID LINK TO PREVENT ELEVATION OF THE DISCONNECTED PORTION OF THE MOVABLE FRAME WHEN SAID LINK IS ACTUATED, AND MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID LINK. 